Winter Weather Survival Guide: Make it Through with Your Sanity Intact

We have a few months before winter officially starts, but it looks like Mother Nature is full of surprises. Last year around this time cities in New York were getting hit with as much as six feet of snow, and every state in America was experiencing temperatures below freezing. So in the interest of being prepared for the upcoming winter weather, here are some ways to keep calm and carry on through the biting wind, piling snow, and freezing rain that will likely accompany the next several months.

1. Make sure you are prepared with all of the necessities. It’s good to keep a stash of supplies on hand in your home and in your car all winter long to avoid being caught off guard or making that last-minute run to the grocery store before a big storm. These items include things such as water, flashlights, batteries, a radio, blankets, and some food that does not require cooking. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has a full list of items to stock up on here. Having basic supplies as a “just in case” is a critical step in surviving winter weather, because sometimes storms pop up quickly!

2. Have an emergency plan to follow in case you find yourself in the midst of a storm. This includes educating yourself beforehand of the ways you can stay comfortable and safe during a snow storm, especially if the power is out. It is also important to know what to do if you find yourself stuck in your car, like many did near Buffalo last year. Communicate with your family and neighbors to come up with a plan to contact one another and make sure everyone is safe. Consider all of the options: if the power is out, if the pipes freeze, if the car stalls out, etc. Being better prepared for these scenarios will help you to handle them with confidence, and it may also allow you to help others who are not as well prepared.

3. Keep your mind and body active, even though you’re stuck indoors. Avoid going stir-crazy by keeping yourself occupied. Whether you have power or not, you should stay moving to keep yourself warm and your muscles active. To keep your mind busy, pull out a book, a puzzle, or something else that you find mentally stimulating. Try to talk with others too, if possible. Socializing will help you find comfort in knowing that you are not alone, and it could provide hours of entertainment! Keeping yourself pre-occupied will help to distract you from the fact that you are stuck indoors (and possibly without power).

With these tips in mind, you should be much more prepared for when you see that big blue blob on the radar headed your way! Be prepared now, so you aren’t left out in the cold!